ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 55TH FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS OF INSTITUTE OF COMPANY SECRETARIES OF INDIA
ROLE OF THE CORPORATE WORLD IN MANAGING RESOURCES SHOULD BE THAT OF TRUSTEESHIP: PRESIDENT MURMU
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the 55th foundation day celebrations of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India  in New Delhi today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Company Secretaries should remember that their loyalty is not only to perform the legal work as an officer or professional of a company, but their duty is also towards every citizen of the country who has been left behind in the developmental journey. She emphasised that the role of the corporate world in managing resources should be that of trusteeship. She said that the spirit of service should be their basic mantra. She urged them to move forward on the path of good corporate governance while remembering Gandhiji's Talisman “Remember the face of the poorest and most helpless man”. She said that their goal should be “prosperity with human dignity”.
The President said that three sins out of seven sins mentioned by Gandhiji are - wealth without work; knowledge without character; and commerce without ethics. She stated that the lessons related to these three sins should always be guiding lights for the Company Secretaries. She said that “Ethics in Business” is more important than “Business Ethics”. She stated that as a vigilant watchdog of corporate governance, Company Secretaries have to take care that the legal provisions meant to increase ease of doing business are not misused.
The President said that today, India is scaling new heights. Be it economic or social development, we are moving towards becoming a leading nation. In such scenario, it becomes more important that our professionals are not only qualified and competent, but also courageous and creative. She stated that the future of India's corporate governance depends on willpower and actions of Company Secretaries. They can make India a role model of ‘Good Corporate Governance’ as well as of ‘Good Governance’.
The President said that the work of ICSI is not only to create such professionals in the country who are capable, competent and proficient in corporate functioning and laws, but also to create such boardrooms, society and culture where good governance, integrity and discipline are not just words or buzzwords. These should be the universal truth of every aspect of life, and should also be the yardstick for measuring any decision.
The President said that change is the law of nature. If we are not comfortable with change, or if we do not change our attitudes, methods and way of working with the times, our aspiration for good governance would not be fulfilled. Be it new technological inventions like AI, or changes in the regulatory environment, with all these changes we would have to change. She was happy to note that ICSI have not only updated their syllabus as per the need but have also encouraged research.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Dr Jitendra Singh interacts with participants on second day of 'Destination North East' festival in Varanasi
North East model of development being replicated across India, says DoNER Minister
The Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said in Varanasi today that Northeast model of development and opportunity is now being replicated across India and this has been possible because of a concentrated effort to familiarize people, particularly youth, in different parts of the country about what all Northeast could offer to each one of them.
Going around various stalls and interacting with participants and visitors, majority of them youth, on the second day of the 4-day “Destination North East” festival at BHU campus in Varanasi, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the response to the event has been overwhelming and inspite of exams going on in some departments of University, students in huge numbers were seen visiting the stalls and intermingling with their counterparts from Northeast till almost midnight. He said, this is a vindication of the contention that he always held that as soon as the enormous potential and avenues of Northeast are made familiar to people living in other parts of India, there would virtually be a bee-line of explorers and aspirants heading for North East India.
Making a particular mention of Bamboo, Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that this is for the first time perhaps, that there was an extensive showcasing of the various aspects of bamboo use including a bamboo idol of Buddha and a bamboo-model depicting the holy Kamakhya temple. The positive outcome of this, he said, has been that youth and media persons in large numbers are visiting the venue to understand how best they could also take the benefit of bamboo in supplementing livelihood sources and bringing ease of living. There are huge reserves of bamboo even outside Northeast, including in Central India, but there was little awareness and knowledge about it and therefore, it could not be put to optimum use. We have tried to educate the common citizens, particularly youth, about how best each one of them can introduce bamboo into his life routine, particularly after Prime Minister ShribNarendra Modi has amended the Indian Forest Act to exempt home-grown bamboo from it, he added.
In addition to food outlets and traditional cultural performances, the B-2-B business meetings attracted a large number of youngsters who seriously engaged themselves to explore and ascertain how best they could use the North Eastern pattern to further their entrepreneurship plans.
Election Commission
Amended Schedule – last dates of Nomination/Scrutiny/withdrawal shifted for three bye elections to Karnataka Legislative Council and one bye election to Maharashtra Legislative Council
The Commission had announced a schedule for holding three bye elections to Karnataka Legislative Council and one bye election to Maharashtra Legislative Council by the Members of Legislative Assembly, vide its Press Note No. ECI/PN/60/2018 dated 7th September, 2018.
As the last date for making nominations, i.e. 22nd September, 2018  falls on 4th Saturday of the month is a ‘Public Holiday’ as per Section 25 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, as per the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Notification dated 20.08.2015, therefore, the Commission has suitably amended the schedule changing the last date for making nominations to the next working day i.e. 24th September, 2018 . Consequently, the date of scrutiny, the last date of withdrawal of candidatures and the date of poll have been accordingly shifted as follows:
|
|
S.No.
|
|
Subject of Programme
|
|
Dates and Days
|
|
-
|
|
Last Date of making nominations
|
|
24th September, 2018 
|
|
-
|
|
Scrutiny of nominations
|
|
25th September, 2018 
|
|
-
|
|
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures
|
|
27th September, 2018 
|
|
-
|
|
Date of Poll
|
|
4th October, 2018 
|
|
-
|
|
Hours of Poll
|
|
9.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M.
|
|
-
|
|
Counting of Votes
|
|
4th October, 2018  at 5.00 P.M.
|
|
-
|
|
Date before which election shall be completed
|
|
6th October, 2018 
…
SBS/AC
(Visitor Counter : 538
Special Service and Features
PM KUSUM SCHEME 70 PERCENT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OFFERED FOR INSTALLING SOLAR PUMPS
Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  had launched Pradhan MantriKisanUrjaSurakshaevamUtthaanMahabhiyaan  scheme for the promotion of solar energy last year. The scheme aims to add solar and other renewable capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022 with total central financial support of Rs. 34,422 Crore . The Scheme consists of three components. Component A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renewable Power Plants of individual plant size up to 2 MW. Component B: Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps of individual pump capacity up to 7.5 HP and Component C: Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps of individual pump capacity up to 7.5 HP. Under Component B, individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar Agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP. Under PM Kusum Scheme, 20 lakh farmers will be provided subsidy for setting up stand-alone solar pumps. Another 15 lakh farmers to be helped to solarise their grid-connected pump sets. This scheme will enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their barren lands and to sell it to the power grid.
In Tamil Nadu, PM Kusum scheme is implemented for installing 17500 solar pumps to farmers through agriculture engineering department. Under this scheme, central government is giving 30 per cent subsidy, Tamil Nadu government is giving 40 per cent subsidy and farmer has to bear 30 per cent of the cost. Sanction has been obtained from Union government during October last year for installation of 17,500 off-grid standalone solar powered pumping systems from 5 hp to 10 hp capacity with a validity of one year period. The rates and the companies for the implementation of the scheme have been finalized by Ministry of new and renewable energy through centralized tender. The programme is being implemented with 70% subsidy to the farmers, for the installation of 4,000 solar powered pumpsets in Phase I during the year 2019-20 with the subsidy assistance of Rs.107.31 crore. It is proposed to implement the installation of 13,500 solar powered pumpsets in Phase II, during the year 2020-21 with the subsidy assistance of Rs.365.54 crore.
Agriculture officials said that in Tiruchirapalli farmers can contact Assistant Executive engineer in Agriculture Engineering department in Trichy, Musiri and Lalgudi for assistance. Farmers from Anthanallur, Manikandam, TiruverumburManaparaiVayyampatty villages should contact Trichy office for help regarding the scheme. The total price for 5 HP AC submerged solar pump motor is Rs 2.38 lakh and the farmer will have to pay 30 per cent ieRs 71,384 for the solar pump, they added.
From time immemorial there is unending bond between farmers and mother nature. No wonder, Union government in coordination with state governments are implanting schemes to utilise energy resources that are renewable . Solar energy has great potential as it is eternal source of energy and greatly helps the UN goal of sustainable development without harming the mother nature.
Solar panels
PM Kusum pic
(
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari to Inaugurate and Lay Foundation Stone for Four National Highway Projects in Bikaner and Nagaur in Rajasthan on 28th January
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for four NH projects in Rajasthan on the 28th of January. These include three projects in Bikaner and one in Nagaur.
At Bikaner the first project for laying of foundation stones is the 162.46 kms , 2 lane section of NH from Raisinghnagar to Poogal. This road is being built under Bharatmala on EPC mode at a cost of Rs 687.07 crore. The second is the 4 lane/2 lane Khajuwala-Poogal and Poogal–Dantour-Jaggasar-Gokul-Godu-Ranjeetpura-Charanwala–Naukh-Bap sections of NH-911 being built under Bharatmala on HAM basis. This 212.107 kms project is estimated to cost Rs 895 crore. The third project is the 4/2 lane Bikaner-Phalodi Section of NH-15 under NHDP-Phase IV on BOT basis. This 159.3 kms highway is estimated to cost cost Rs 844.48 crore.
At Nagaur, the Minister will inaugurate the project involving two-laning of Salasar–Nagaur section of NH-65 on HAM basis with total length of 119.594 kms at a cost of Rs 480 crore.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Lok Sabha approves the demands for grants under Road Transport and Highways for 2019-20
Shri Gadkari says new financing models being developed, no shortage of funds for highways projects
Lok Sabha passed the demands for grants under Road Transport and Highways for 2019-20 by voice vote today.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has assured the Parliament that his ministry, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, will continue giving a thrust to buiilding world class transport infrastructure in the country. Highlighting the achievements of his ministry in the last five years, Shri Gadkari said, work worth about Rs 11 lakh crores were awarded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways during this period. He said over 57000 km of NH were awarded and over 40000 constructed in the last five years, which is an exponential rise over the figures for the previous five years. Shri Gadkari further said that the budget allocation for his ministry has increased by about Rs 5000 crore. In addition, several innovative investment models are being worked out to attract funds for the sector. This would include a model for attracting investment from the savings of the common man, giving them assured returns. Shri Gadkari assured that even though the cost for Bharatmala has gone up from Rs 5,35,000 crore to about Rs 8,41000 crore due to increase in cost of land acquisition, there will be no shortage of funds for the projects.
The Minister reiterated the government’s resolve to provide special focus on road safety.. He said, the Ministry has identified 786 black spots which are prone to accidents and 300 such spots have been rectified till now. Shri Gadkari further informed the House that Rs 7000 crore has been sanctioned by ADB for adopting safety measures on highways. In this regard Shri Gadkari called upon all members to lend support to the Motor Vehicles  Bill 2019 in which stringent laws have been proposed for ensuring safety on roads.
Shri Gadkari further said, within four months, electronic toll collection process will be put on fast track and mandatory for easy passage of traffic, avoiding long queues in the toll plazas.
Shri Gadkari announced that Bharat stage-VI pollution norms will be introduced by April 2020 and electric and bio fuel run vehicles will soon be on roads.
Ministry of Defence
Army Sports Institute, Pune awarded with Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2020
Pune, 23 August 2020
Army Sports Institute, Pune has been identified and awarded with “Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2020” by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt of India.
Background
Army Sports Institute, Pune was raised as part of Indian Army’s “Mission Olympics” programme on 01 Jul 2001. The aim was to train the vast reservoir of talent in the Army in selected seven disciplines to include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Diving, Fencing, Weightlifting and Wrestling with an ultimate aim of winning medals at Olympics. The institute draws its sportsmen from the Army as well as from young raw and proven talent in ‘Boys Sports Companies’ .
These sportsmen are supported by a team of Foreign, Indian coaches, physical conditioners, specialists in Sports Medicine, Physiology, Psychology, Biomechanics, Statistics and Nutrition.
In Army Sports Institute the sportsmen have been the ‘Centre of Gravity’ and ‘Team ASI’ is constantly inspired by these human bodies endowed with discipline, dedication, determination and devotion. The Institute has made spectacular progress and given an inspired performance in International competitions to include Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Since raising the institute has enabled participation of twenty sportsmen in Olympics and twelve  sportsmen have already qualified for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics with more yet to qualify. The Institute has won six  Youth Olympic Medals, nineteen  medals in Asian Games and eighteen medals  in Commonwealth Games.
In the last three years itself, the sportsmen trained at ASI have won 450 International and 1118 National medals with number of firsts and records. In the last three editions of Khelo India, the sportsmen have won one hundred and twenty-five  medals in five disciplines.
The success achieved is being done through igniting the minds to engage in 'Big Thinking' coupled with ownership, perseverance and passion.
Prime Minister Task Force constituted to assess various institutions across the country unequivocally states that “The Task Force has no hesitation in saying that the facilities at ASI, Pune, outclass the facilities, system and manpower at most other sporting institutions in the country. The service of expert coaches, support staff of ASI should be utilized more in National camps and tournaments”.
The training philosophy at the Institute remains sports specific, scientific, individualized, focused, continuous monitoring, result oriented, progressive and accountable. Team ASI is headed in the right direction with its disciplined, focused, dedicated and committed approach towards developing and demonstrating an explosive performance and winning laurels for the Nation.
More details - http://www.armysportsinstitute.com/PIB Pune-M.Iyengar/DR
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
G20 India Presidency
1st G20 Health Working Group Meeting to Commence from 18-20 January at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
The 1st Health Working Group meeting under G20 India Presidency will be held from 18th – 20th January, 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In a significant milestone, India assumed presidency of the G20 on 1st December, 2022. India is currently part of the G20 Troika comprising Indonesia, India and Brazil, marking the first time that the troika is consisting of three developing and emerging economies.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reiterated that G20 India Presidency will be inclusive, action-oriented and decisive. The theme unveiled by Hon’ble Prime Minister: ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ enunciates India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. It is a clarion call to the world to collectively work towards building a healthier post-pandemic world.
The Health Track of the G20 India Presidency will comprise four Health Working Group  Meetings and one Health Ministerial Meeting . The meetings will be held in different locations across the country including Thiruvananthapuram , Goa, Hyderabad  and Gandhinagar , highlighting the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call to action to showcase India’s rich and diverse cultures.
India plans to host a side event along with each HWG meeting to enrich, supplement and support G20 discussions. These include side events on Medical Value Travel and Digital Health; a workshop on collaborative research on drugs, diagnostics and vaccines; and a co-branded event on Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. The side event on Medical Value Travel will be held on the sidelines of the 1st meeting of HWG at Thiruvananthapuram, 18th-20th Jan 2023.
As chair of the G20 Presidency, India aims to continue and consolidate health priorities and key takeaways from previous presidencies while highlighting critical areas that require strengthening. India also aims to achieve convergence in discussions across various multilateral fora engaged in health cooperation and work towards integrated action. To this end, India has identified, the following three priorities for the G20 Health Track:
Priority I: Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response 
Priority II: Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with focus on Access and Availability to safe, effective, quality and Affordable Medical Countermeasures 
Priority III: Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery
Thematic discussions related to the above priorities will be held across the HWG meetings. The meeting will be attended by representatives of G20 member countries, special invitee countries and relevant international organizations.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Arbitration under MSME Act
Sub-section 3 of Section 18 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development  Act, 2006 provides that where the conciliation fails under the provisions of the Act, the Micro & Small Enterprises Facilitation Council  shall either itself take up the dispute for arbitration or refer it to any institution or centre providing alternate dispute resolution services for such arbitration.
Sub-section 4 of Section 18 of the MSMED Act, 2006 provides that the MSEFC or the centre providing alternate dispute resolution services shall have jurisdiction to act as an Arbitrator or Conciliator under this section in a dispute between the supplier located within its jurisdiction and a buyer located anywhere in India.
There is a mechanism, namely Trade Receivable Discounting System  working as per the guidelines issued by RBI. It is an electronic platform for facilitating the discounting of trade receivables of MSMEs through multiple financiers. Government of India has also instructed Central Public Sector Enterprises and all companies with a turnover of Rs. 500 Crore or more to get themselves on-boarded on TReDS.
This information was given by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister mourns the passing away of Kadri Gopalnath
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today condoled the passing away of veteran Carnatic musician Shri Kadri Gopalnath. He said “The remarkable Kadri Gopalnath epitomised excellence. Blessed with exceptional diligence and talent, he made a valuable contribution to Carnatic music. His works were popular across continents. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and admirers.
Ministry of Textiles
Impact on Textile Industry after withdrawal of GSP
The United States imported apparel valued at USD 17.7 million in 2018 under 15 categories that enjoyed Generalized System of Preferences .
Balance of apparel trade was in favour of India by USD 4 billion during 2018.
Post-withdrawal of GSP, imports of apparel will be subject to higher tariff. As per provisional data, exports of apparel  has increased by 5% as compared to the corresponding period before withdrawal.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, in written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
MALABAR-20
Phase 1: 03 to 06 November 2020
The 24th edition of the MALABAR naval exercise is scheduled in two phases in November 2020. Phase 1 of the Exercise MALABAR 20 involving participation by Indian Navy , United States Navy , Japan Maritime Self Defence Force , and Royal Australian Navy  is set to commence off Visakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal from 03 to 06 November 2020.
MALABAR series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral IN-USN exercise. JMSDF joined MALABAR in 2015. The 2020 edition will now witness participation of the RAN in this joint maritime exercise.
Phase-1 of MALABAR 20 will witness participation of Indian Navy units with United States Ship  John S McCain , Her Majesty’s Australian Ship  Ballarat  with integral MH-60 helicopter, and Japan Maritime Self Defence Ship  Onami  with integral SH-60 helicopter.
The Indian Navy participation in Phase 1 will be led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. Indian Navy units participating in the exercise include destroyer Ranvijay, frigate Shivalik, Off Shore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, Fleet Support Ship Shakti and submarine Sindhuraj. In addition, Advanced Jet Trainer Hawk, long-range maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters will also be participating in the exercise.
The exercise, being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic, will showcase the high-levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order. MALABAR 20 Phase 1 would witness complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare operations, cross deck flying, seamanship evolutions and weapon firing exercises.
Phase 2 of MALABAR 20 is scheduled to be conducted in the Arabian Sea in mid-November 2020.
ABBB/VM/MS
(Visitor Counter : 2395